MidVicious writes: "NYU Professor Robert Dewar summarizes that new college students' reliance on Java, the language listed number one on TIOBE Software's list of popular programming languages, aren't developing the deep programming skills necessary to make them invaluable.In the article, Dewar states, "If all we do is train students to be able to do simple Web programming in Java, they won't get jobs, since those are the jobs that can be easily outsourced. What we need are software engineers who understand how to build complex systems." Certainly not the first Java-bitter NYU professor, but possibly the most outspoken."

MidVicious writes: "From futuristic 'Punch Cards' to Voice Recognition HoloDeck Interfaces, human/computer interactions have always mirrored the base concepts of our emerging technologies. This article from a Saarland University CS Seminar highlights Hollywood UI ranging from the moderately feasible (Total Recall's television/scenery display wall) to the often ridiculous (Swordfish's 6-flat screen monitor setup complete with 3-D virus-hacking environment). An interesting read, especially considering some of the technology is on its way to becoming a reality."

MidVicious writes: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... Fake. Chinese Remote Controlled Pigeons... Real! At least according to an article in CNN, Chinese scientists have "succeeded in controlling the flight of pigeons with micro electrodes planted in their brains..."

Between this and the earlier reported Chinese DoD Hacker attack, I advise you all to always wear a hat and to park your cars in garages whenever possible."

MidVicious writes: "Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking says he wants to undertake a zero-gravity flight aboard an airplane this year as a precursor to a journey into space, a newspaper reported Monday. Hawking, 65, has said he hopes to travel on British businessman Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic service, which is scheduled to launch in 2009. The service will charge space tourists about $200,000 (about £100,000) for a two-hour suborbital trip some 87 miles (140 kilometers) above the Earth. "Richard is very determined that if we can possibly make this happen, then it should," Virgin Galactic spokesman Stephen Attenborough said."